Something magical is currently happening at Horseshoe Las Vegas, in more ways than one. One of the best family-friendly offerings in town, Potted Potter, a comedy show centering around the seven books about wizard Harry Potter, is celebrating its fifth anniversary—and 1,400th performance—at the venue this month.
If you want proof of how good this show is, watch the kids in the audience: During the course of a 70-minute-plus show, not once are the young ones distracted or bored. They are completely invested from beginning to end, and that speaks to the incredible talents of performers James Edwards and Nicholas Charles, who pull out all the Hogwarts Express stops in creating an unforgettable recap of arguably the greatest fantasy literary series of our generation.
To call this a “low-budget experience” is understating things considerably, but that’s a huge part of its charm. Potted Potter feels like something you’d create in your parents’ basement with your best friend, using whatever props are handy. So, in addition to “sets” like a wardrobe, coffin and a small wooden train, Edwards and Charles incorporate elements as disparate as a Super Soaker, a can of Silly String, large inflatable balls … and a chocolate cake! (You’ll have to see the show to figure out what that’s all about.)
Costumes also figure liberally throughout Potted Potter, from a golden-hued getup associated with Quidditch to a buffed-out body suit for a certain not-to-be-named villain. There are also lots of wigs and masks as the two principals tirelessly play all the characters in the books, complete with horrible accents, which only make the kiddies in the crowd laugh harder.
Audience participation also plays a part here, mostly during the quidditch section. Wait, you ask: Will you actually be playing the game? Again, you’ll have to buy a ticket to find out.
Through all this is the nonstop clowning by Edwards and Charles, who show more than a little talent at physical and verbal comedy, not to mention hilarious facial expressions. Whether you’ve read the books or not, these two men make every Muggle in the audience forget their worries and cares, if just for an hour.
Horseshoe Las Vegas, 855.234.7469. caesars.com
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